Player interaction systems

ABSTRACT

A gaming system comprises one or more gaming machines, a display system, a player interface system, and a player tracking system. The display system includes a display screen that displays player interactive information, and the player interface system includes a keypad and a secondary input means. The player tracking system is in communication with the display system and the player interface system, and the player tracking system includes a card reader for accepting and reading player cards.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, gaming machines have been designed for the sole purposeof presenting a game of chance, game of skill, or a combination thereof.Accordingly, gaming machines have been constructed only to includegaming functionality. Recently, however, casino operators have becomeaware that by providing additional features in gaming machines, suchfeatures may maintain a player's attention at the gaming machines for alonger period of time. For example, secondary displays have been addedto gaming machines to provide players with access to gaming-relatedinformation, news, and advertisements. The gaming-related informationmay include, for example, information on sports betting and variousbetting options relating to sporting events. Additionally, thegaming-related information may include other gaming type information,such as horse racing and off-track betting. News and advertisements canalso maintain a player's attention by providing the player with accessto information, such as, but not limited to, casino attractions, showtimes, restaurant and hotel specials, and world events. Additionally,these secondary displays allow casino operators to focus promotions andmarketing. Accordingly, the promotions and focused marketing presentedon these displays may be used to encourage further game play. Thus, aplayer's desire or need to leave the gaming machine, therefore, isreduced by providing the player with access to such non-gaminginformation. This, in turn, increases player wagering by encouraging theplayer to remain at the gaming machine for longer time periods, therebyincreasing casino profits.

In addition to providing players with supplemental information, casinooperators also have found that providing interactive access to the aboveinformation enhances the player experience. This type of interactivityallows players significantly more flexibility to make use of theabove-described information. Accordingly, components such as touchscreens have been developed to provide players with an interactivegaming experience. While these system components have been useful, thereremains a need for further interactive devices that are easy to use,cost effective, and enhance the player's gaming experience. There alsoremains a need for interactive devices used in association with an inputdevice, such as a keypad to enhance the player's interactivity with thegaming device and to enhance the flexibility of the player device.

SUMMARY

Briefly, and in general terms, various embodiments are directed togaming devices having player interaction systems. The player interactionsystem provides various types of information and services to a player.For example, the information and services include gaming relatedinformation, non-gaming related information, and concierge services. Theplayer is not only provided with this information, but the player isalso able to interact and select various services and to obtainadditional information. Furthermore, the player's interaction with thesystem is intuitive and easy to use. Accordingly, the player's gamingexperience is enhanced beyond mere playing of the gaming machine.

In one embodiment, the gaming system comprises one or more gamingmachines, a display system, a player interface system, and a playertracking system. The display system includes a display screen thatprovides player interactive information. The player interface systemincludes a keypad and a secondary input means. The player trackingsystem is in communication with the display system and the playerinterface system, and the player tracking system includes a card readerfor accepting and reading player cards.

In another embodiment, the gaming system comprises one or more gamingmachines having a game display for displaying one or more games, aplayer interaction system, and a player tracking system. The playerinteraction system includes a transparent LCD screen or the like. Theplayer interaction system further includes a keypad positioned behindthe transparent LCD screen, wherein the keypad is visible through thetransparent LCD screen. Morever, the player tracking system is incommunication with the player interaction system, and the playertracking system includes a card reader for accepting and reading playercards.

In addition to gaming machines and gaming systems, methods for enhancingplayer interaction with a gaming machine are disclosed herein. In onemethod, the gaming machine obtains player information from the player.The gaming machine then displays player services information or gameparameters on a display screen. The gaming machine is provided withkeyboard and secondary input means to enable the player to requestplayer services or to modify various game parameters.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate by way of example, the features of thevarious embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gaming machinehaving a player interaction system;

FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment of a player interactionsystem;

FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of a player interactionsystem;

FIG. 4 is a front view of yet another embodiment of a player interactionsystem;

FIG. 5A is a plan view of one embodiment of a player interaction system;

FIG. 5B is a plan view of another embodiment of a player interactionsystem;

FIG. 5C is a plan view of one embodiment of a player interaction system;and

FIG. 6 is a front view of yet another embodiment of a player interactionsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to gaming machineshaving a player interaction system. The player interaction systemgenerally includes a graphics display, a keypad, a secondary inputmeans, and a card reader. The player interaction system provides aplayer-friendly interface for a player to obtain gaming and non-gaminginformation, to control game play, or to control various functions ofthe gaming machine. Furthermore, the features of the player interactionsystem may be adapted to or customized by the player. In someembodiments, the player interaction system uses encrypted keypads orother input devices to provide additional levels of security.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denotelike or corresponding parts throughout the drawings and, moreparticularly to FIGS. 1-6, there are shown various embodiments of agaming machine having a player interaction system. Specifically,referring to FIG. 1, the gaming machine 10 includes a cabinet 24, a gamedisplay 26, a plurality of player-activated buttons 28, and a playerinteraction system 11. The cabinet 24 is a self-standing unit that isgenerally rectangular in shape. In other embodiments, the cabinet (notshown) may be a slant-top, bar-top, or table-top style cabinet. However,any shaped cabinet may be used with any embodiment of the gaming machine10.

The game display 26 presents one or more games of chance such as, butnot limited to, mechanical slots, video slots, video keno, video poker,or Class II bingo. In alternate embodiments, the game display 26 maypresent games of skill or games of chance involving some player skill.In one embodiment, the game display 26 is a CRT or a panel display suchas, but not limited to, liquid crystal, plasma, electroluminescent,vacuum fluorescent, field emission, or any other type of panel displayknown or developed in the art. Additionally, the game display 26 mayalso include a touch screen or touch glass system (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the player interaction system 11comprises a graphics display 12, a touch bezel 14, a keypad 16, and aplayer card reader 18, and a card reader bezel 20. The graphics display12 may display any visual screen images (e.g., pictures, characters,symbols) and video images that have been converted for compatibilitywith digital or computer manipulation, transport and storage. The playerinteraction system 11 is positioned above the game display 26 as shownin FIG. 1. Alternatively, the player interaction system 11 may bepositioned below or next to the game display 26 on any other location sodesired.

In one embodiment, the graphics display 12 for the player interactionsystem 11 is generally a panel display such as, but not limited to,liquid crystal, plasma, electroluminescent, vacuum fluorescent, fieldemission, or any other type of panel display known or developed in theart. In another embodiment, the graphics display 12 is a transparent LCDdisplay. According to one embodiment, the graphics display 12 is a320×240 display. However, virtually any size or type of display 12 maybe used in conjunction with the player interaction system 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a touch bezel 14 surrounds thedisplay 12. The touch bezel 14 forms a frame surrounding the display 12where no portion of the touch bezel contacts the display. As shown inFIG. 1, the touch bezel 14 is a single component, but the touch bezelmay be made from one or more touch screen or touch glass components (notshown). For example, one or more touch-activated bars 22 may bepositioned around the perimeter of the display 12. As shown in FIG. 2,two touch-activated bars 22 are positioned below and to the right of thedisplay 12. In an alternate embodiment, the touch-activated bars 22 maybe positioned on opposite sides of the display 12. As those skilled inthe art will appreciate, any number, combination, or positions of thetouch-activated bars is contemplated.

The touch bezel 14 and touch-activated bars 22 may use, for example,either touch screen or touch glass technology to receive and interpretplayer touches. Various touch types may be used to activate the touchbezel 14 and touch-activated bars 22 such as, but not limited to, taps,drags, double taps, or the like. Alternatively, a stylus or other inputmeans may be used to activate the touch bezel 14 or touch-activatedbars. The duration and quantity of touches may be used to initiate afunction or to make a selection. For example, the touch-activated bars22 may have a scroll-bar functionality. Accordingly, a player may draghis or her finger along the touch-activated bar 22 to scroll down oracross a page on the display 12. Alternatively, the touch bezel 14 ortouch-activated bar 22 may be touched or tapped at a particular positionto designate a particular selection or function that is presented on thedisplay 12. That is, touching or tapping a particular area on the touchbezel 14 or touch-activated bar 22 activates or selects a particularfunction or selection presented on the display 12. Accordingly, a playercan make a selection or navigate around the display 12 based upon theinformation presented on the display by touching the appropriate regionof the touch-activated bar 22.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the player interaction system 11 includes akeypad 16. The keypad 16 may be configured with a plurality ofalphanumeric buttons, numerical buttons, a combination thereof, and thelike. The alphanumeric buttons allow a player to input numbers,alphabetical characters, or symbols. The numerical buttons allow aplayer to only input numbers. In one embodiment, the keypads may have athree dimensional aspect to them that changes in aspect to reflectactivation. Additionally, the keypad 16 may include one or morededicated function buttons. The functions may include enter, clear,cancel, yes, no, forward, or back. In one embodiment, the keypad 16 is asecured keypad. That is, once any data (e.g., PIN number or credit cardnumber) is inputted, the data is encrypted so that all PIN relatedtransactions comply with industry standards for credit card andautomated teller machine (ATM) transactions. Accordingly, a player mayuse an ATM, a debit card, or a credit card, in lieu of cash to play agame on the gaming machine 10. Alternatively, other cashless technologymay similarly be used.

A card reader 18 and a card reader bezel 20 are also components of theplayer interaction system 11. The card reader 18 is generally a devicethat reads magnetic stripe cards. In this regard, the card reader 18 isused to read player promotional cards, player tracking cards, casinoemployee cards, smart cards, and the like. Additionally, the card 18 maybe configured to also accept and/or read information from a credit cardor an ATM card. Generally, the card reader 18 monitors and tracks playerand employee activity each time a player or employee inserts his or hercard into the reader.

As shown in FIG. 1, a lighted card bezel 20 surrounds the card reader18. The bezel 20 draws attention to the card reader 18 to visuallyprompt a player and/or employee to insert and/or remove his card. When aplayer or employee card is inserted into the card reader 18, the bezel20 may be illuminated with one or more colors or it may begin flashing.Alternatively, the card reader 18 may not include a lighted card bezel20. In another embodiment, the player tracking system 11 may include oneor more card readers 18. For example, one card reader is dedicated toreceiving credit or ATM cards, and the other card reader is adapted toread information from casino-issued player or employee cards.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a player interaction system 11.Like previous embodiments, the player interaction system 11 includes agraphics display 12, a keypad 16, card reader 18, card bezel 20, and oneor more secondary input means. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, thesecondary input means is one or more “soft keys.” Soft keys 30 aremulti-functional keys that use a portion of the graphics display 12 toidentify each key's function. As shown in FIG. 3, the six soft keys 30are physical (i.e., not virtual) buttons that are positioned adjacent tothe graphics display 12. In other embodiments, the soft keys 30 may betouch-actuated buttons. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, thenumber and positioning of the soft keys 30 may be varied from thedepiction in FIG. 3.

When compared to soft keys that may be positioned directly on thedisplay (not shown), the soft keys 30 shown in FIG. 3 are more durableand able to withstand repeated use. Accordingly, these keys 30 requireless maintenance thereby minimizing service-related costs. Furthermore,the soft keys 30 provide design flexibility as each key may have one ormore associated functions. For example, the soft keys 30 may havefunctions, such as, enter, clear, cancel, or continue. The soft keys 30may be associated with answers, such as “yes,” “no,” or “maybe.”Additionally, the soft keys 30 may have functions that allow a player tonavigate between pages shown on the graphics display 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of a player interactionsystem 11 is shown. Like previous embodiments, the player interactionsystem 11 includes a graphics display 12, a keypad 16, card reader 18,card bezel 20, and one or more secondary input means. In thisembodiment, the secondary input means is a touchpad 42. As shown in FIG.4, the touchpad 42 is a generally rectangular pad including one or morebuttons 44. In an alternate embodiment, an annular touchpad (not shown)may be provided in association with the player interaction system 11.Alternatively, the touchpad (not shown) may not have any buttons. Thetouchpad 42 allows a player to navigate around the display 12 with apointer, scroll through menus, make selections based upon informationprovided on the display, or to input data. Optionally, the buttons 44may be used in combination with the touchpad 42 to provide the playerwith additional means of inputting data.

FIGS. 5A-C illustrate other embodiments of a player interaction system11 using other secondary input devices 52. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, thesecondary input devices 52 may be a trackball 54, joystick 56,microjoystick 58, or any other navigation means known or developed inthe art. In an alternate embodiment, one or more secondary input devices52 may be provided in association with the player interaction system 11.The secondary input devices 52 provides a player with the ability tomaximize his or her gaming experience by allowing the player to interactwith the gaming machine and/or a player services system.

FIG. 6 illustrates still another embodiment of a player interactionsystem 11 having a transparent LCD screen 62. Additionally, a keypad 64is positioned behind the transparent LCD screen 62. In one embodiment,the keypad 64 is in direct contact with the LCD screen 62.Alternatively, there may be a small amount of space between the keypad64 and the LCD screen. In use, when the area on the LCD screen 62 abovea particular key of the keypad 64 is touched, the force of the touch istransmitted through the LCD screen 62 to activate the key. That is, thescreen 62 has enough flexibility to deflect when depressed to physicallycontact the key located behind the screen. While the keypad 62 is placedat the bottom of the LCD screen 62 in FIG. 6, the keypad may be placedin any location under the LCD screen. The keypad 62 may have keys forinputting alphanumeric and/or numerical data. In another embodiment,dedicated keys may also be provided with the keypad 62. Additionally,the keypad 62 may be a secured keypad that immediately encrypts theinputted information. In other embodiments (not shown), additionalsecondary input devices may be included with the player interactionsystem 11.

In an alternate embodiment, the player interaction system 11, as shownin FIG. 6, may also be used to actually play one or more portions of thegame presented on the gaming machine 10. For example, one or more of thekeys may be associated with a game play function such as initiating thegame, initiating a bonus sequence, or the like. In another embodiment,images displayed on the transparent LCD 62 may be related to the gameand prompt the player to depress one or more keys of the keypad 62. Theimages displayed on the LCD screen 62 may be displayed on the areasadjacent to the keypad 26 or directly over the keypad. In oneembodiment, once a player depresses the key, the inputted information isencrypted to minimize tampering with the game.

In another embodiment, the player interaction system (not shown) mayinclude a graphics display, card reader, and one or more secondary inputdevices. The secondary input devices may be a touch bezel,touch-activated bars, touchpad, trackball, joystick, micro-joystick, orthe like. These secondary input devices provide a player with theability to maximize his or her gaming experience by allowing the playerto interact with the gaming machine, a player services system, or play agame provided by the player interaction system.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that not all gamingmachines 10 will have all these components and may have other componentsin addition to, or in lieu of, those components mentioned here.Furthermore, while these components are viewed and described separately,various components may be integrated into a single unit in someembodiments.

In addition to gaming devices disclosed above, various methods forenhancing player interaction with a gaming device are also provided. Inone method, player information is obtained from a player card by readingthe information from the card with a card reader 18. The playerinformation may contain a player's name, identification number, gaminghabits, player rating, or the like. Other player information stored on aplayer card may be related to a player's non-gaming preferences and/orinterests, such as, but not limited to, shows, favorite restaurants,favorite foods or drinks, or any combination thereof. Additionally,player information stored on a player card may be related to a player'sgaming preferences, such as, but not limited to, favorite types ofgames, speed of game (e.g., fast or slow game play), font size on thegame display 26, preferred wager denominations, preferred number ofpaylines to be played, or a combination thereof. By providing thisinformation on the player card, the gaming machine 10 may be customizedto the player's preferences once the player card has been inserted intothe card reader 18, thereby enhancing the player's gaming experience.

In another method, in lieu of inserting a player card, playerinformation is inputted into the gaming machine 10 by using the keypad16 or a secondary input devices such as, but not limited to, the touchbezel 14, touch-activated buttons, touch bar 22, soft keys 30, touchpad42, annular touchpad, touchpad buttons 44, trackball 52, joystick,micro-joystick, or other input devices known or developed in the art.The player-inputted information may be the player's name, acasino-issued player identification number, a driver's license number orthe like. This information may then be transmitted to a host network(e.g., player tracking network (not shown)) to access the player'sprofile stored on the network. Accordingly, the network may transmit theplayer's name, player rating, and other preferences to the gamingmachine 10.

Once the player information has been received, a prompt oracknowledgement may be displayed on the graphics display 12. Forexample, the player information such as player name and/or player ratingmay be displayed on the graphics display 12. The display screen 12 alsodisplays advertisements, player services information, gaming relatedinformation, System gaming, and game parameters for the game displayedon the gaming machine 10. For example, player services information maypertain to casino promotions, show times, restaurant choices, or hotelspecials. The gaming related information may include, for example,information on sports betting and various betting options for thosesporting events. For example, the gaming related information may includeinformation relating to horse racing and/or off-track betting.Alternatively, the information provided on the graphics display 12 maybe non-gaming related information, such as, but not limited to, local orworld news. System gaming relates to games that may be presented by theplayer interaction system 11 that are displayed on the graphics display12. The gaming parameters provided by the player interaction system 11and presented on the graphics display 12 may include speed of game(e.g., fast or slow game play), font size on the game display 26, wagerdenomination, number of paylines to be played, or any combinationthereof.

In one method, this information is presented on the screen whether ornot a player is identified by a player card or player-inputtedinformation. That is, a casino operator may determine a default list ofservices to be provided via the player interaction system 11. In anothermethod, the player services information and other information displayedon the screen 12 may be accessed or modified when the player accesses aseries of menus or answers particular questions when prompted by theplayer interaction system 11. In another method, the informationprovided on the display screen 12 is customized according to a player'spredetermined preferences.

The various types of information presented on the graphics display 12may be stored locally in the gaming device 10. Alternatively, theinformation presented on the graphics display 12 may be stored in aremote location such as a central server. In yet another embodiment,multiple remote sources may store the information presented on thegraphics display 12.

Generally, the player services information, gaming related information,non-gaming information, and game parameters displayed on the graphicsdisplay 12 are associated with secondary input devices. For example, asoft key 30 may correspond to “game parameter.” Once the player actuatesthe soft key 30 associated with the “game parameter,” another series ofgame parameter options appear on the display 12, and these gameparameter options are also associated with the soft keys. For example,one soft key 30 may correspond to game instructions. When a playeractuates the associated soft key 30, the game instructions, rules, and,optionally, a pay table are displayed on the graphics display 12. Inanother embodiment, player services information, gaming and non-gamingrelated information is displayed on the graphics display 12 as links orhyperlinks, and a pointer may be used to select the particularinformation or service desired. The pointer may be controlled by using asecondary input device such as a trackball, joystick, micro-joystick,trackball, touchpad, or the like.

Accordingly, the player's gaming experience is enhanced by allowing theplayer to interact with the information provided by the playerinteraction system 11 on the graphics display 12. The player has theability to obtain as much additional information as he/she desires.Furthermore, the player is able to interact with the informationprovided on the player interaction system 11 and to customize the gamehe/she is playing. Moreover, the player's gaming experience may beenhanced as the player may be able to order a drink, make dinner or showreservations, redeem a coupon, all without leaving the gaming machine10. Players may also be less fatigued and enjoy their gaming experiencemore because they can customize various game parameters by inputtingtheir selections using familiar input devices (e.g., the keypad 16and/or the one or more secondary input devices).

In an alternate embodiment, a cellular phone or other input device(e.g., PDA), separate and apart, from the gaming machine may also beused to input various player choices and information to enhance theplayer's interactive experience with the gaming system. Furthermore,inputting information via these devices provides an added level ofsecurity as any key presses may be hidden from view. In yet anotherembodiment, a player may call or send a short message service (SMS) tothe gaming machine.

While the above embodiments relate to gaming systems, one of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the use of a keypad in combinationwith a secondary input device may find applicability in other non-gamingenvironments. For example, but not by way of limitation, ATM system,information gathering systems (e.g., wedding registries), may alsoemploy the above-disclosed technology.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimedinvention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made to the claimed inventionwithout following the example embodiments and applications illustratedand described herein, and without departing from the true spirit andscope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed:
 1. A gaming system, comprising: at least one gamingmachine; a display system for displaying player interactive information,wherein the display system includes a display screen; a player interfacesystem having a keypad and a secondary input means; and a playertracking system in communication with the display system and the playerinterface system, wherein the player tracking system comprises a cardreader for accepting and reading player cards.
 2. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein one or more dedicated function buttons are associatedwith the keypad.
 3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the keypad isa secured keypad such that data received from the keypad is encrypted.4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the secondary input meanscomprises a touch-sensitive frame surrounding the display screen.
 5. Thegaming system of claim 1, wherein the secondary input means comprisesone or more touch-sensitive bars surrounding the display screen.
 6. Thegaming system of claim 1, wherein the secondary input means is one ormore touch-sensitive buttons.
 7. The gaming system of claim 1, whereinthe secondary input means comprises one or more soft keys locatedadjacent to the display screen.
 8. The gaming system of claim 1, whereinthe secondary input means is a touchpad, annular touchpad, trackball,joystick, micro-joystick, or a combination thereof.
 9. A gaming system,comprising: at least one gaming machine having a game display fordisplaying one or more games; a player interaction system comprising atransparent LCD screen and a keypad positioned behind the transparentLCD screen, wherein the keypad is visible through the transparent LCDscreen; and a player tracking system in communication with the playerinteraction system, wherein the player tracking system includes a cardreader for accepting and reading player cards.
 10. The gaming system ofclaim 9, wherein one or more dedicated function buttons are associatedwith the keypad.
 11. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein the keypad isa secured keypad, such that data received from the keypad is encrypted.12. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein the player interaction systemfurther comprises a secondary input means.
 13. The gaming system ofclaim 12, wherein the secondary input means comprises a touch-sensitiveframe surrounding the transparent LCD screen.
 14. The gaming system ofclaim 12, wherein the secondary input means comprises one or moretouch-sensitive bars surrounding the transparent LCD screen.
 15. Thegaming system of claim 12, wherein the secondary input means comprisesone or more touch-sensitive buttons adjacent to the transparent LCDscreen.
 16. The gaming system of claim 12, wherein the secondary inputmeans comprises one or more soft keys located adjacent to thetransparent LCD screen.
 17. The gaming system of claim 12, wherein thesecondary input means is a touchpad, annular touchpad, trackball,joystick, micro-joystick, or a combination thereof.
 18. A method forenhancing player interaction with a gaming machine, the methodcomprising: obtaining player information from a player; displayingplayer services information or game parameters on a display screen; andenabling the player to use a keyboard and a secondary input means torequest player services or to modify game parameters.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein obtaining player information from the player furthercomprises receiving information from a player card.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising receiving information input via the keypador the secondary input means.
 21. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising encrypting data received from the keypad or the secondaryinput means.
 22. The method of claim 18, further comprising displayingplayer information on the display screen.
 23. The method of claim 18,wherein displaying player services information further comprisescustomizing player services information based upon player information orplayer data.
 24. The method of claim 18, further comprising allowing aplayer to navigate between one or more screens of player servicesinformation.
 25. A method for enhancing player interaction with a gamingmachine, the method comprising: obtaining player information from aplayer card; displaying player information on a display screen;receiving player data from a keypad and a secondary input means;displaying player services information or gaming parameters on thedisplay screen; and enabling the player to use a keypad and a secondaryinput means to request player services or to modify game parameters. 26.The method of claim 25, further comprising encrypting data received fromthe keypad or the secondary input means.
 27. The method of claim 25,wherein displaying player services information further comprisescustomizing player services information based upon player informationand/or player data.
 28. The method of claim 25, further comprisingallowing a player to navigate between one or more screens of playerservices information.